Wireless power transfer for consumer applications

ABSTRACT

An RF power system, includes, in part, a power generating and a controller. The power generating unit, includes, in part, a first power detector adapted to detect a first amount of RF power radiated by the RF power generating unit and reflected off a living organism. The controller is adapted to reduce the radiated RF power if the first amount of RF power reflected by the living organism is detected as being greater than a predefined amount. The power generating unit may further include a Doppler radar to detect the living organism. The RF power system may further include a power recovery unit that, in turn, includes a second power detector adapted to detect a second amount of RF power radiated by the RF power generating unit and reflected off the living organism.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. applicationSer. No. 16/198,547, filed Nov. 21, 2018, which claims benefit under 35USC 119(e) of application Ser. No. 62/589,507, filed Nov. 21, 2017, thecontent of both which are incorporated herein by reference in itsentirety.

The present application claims benefit under 35 USC 119(e) ofapplication Ser. No. 62/698,736, filed Jul. 16, 2018, the content ofwhich is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to wireless power delivery and measurementsystems.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Wireless power transfer systems use various technologies to transferenergy from one location to another without the aid of wires, cables, orother physical connections. Radio frequency (RF), microwave and mm wavesignals have been used to form beams to transfer power to a desiredlocation while minimizing power delivery to unwanted directions. This isimportant for several reasons, including but not limited to, optimizingthe energy transfer efficiency, avoiding potential interference withother devices, and maintaining user or operator-definable levels ofelectromagnetic signal strength at various locations.

One central part of such techniques is the ability to positively andactively verify the power levels and beam profiles in various locationswhile the wireless power transmission is in effect. While this cangenerally be achieved with specialty precision RF and microwavemeasurement equipment (for example, a combination of a horn antenna,microwave cable, microwave spectrum analyzers, microwave and mm-wavepower meters), such systems are generally bulky, expensive, and requirevery specialized expertise to operate.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An RF power detector adapted to detect an RF power of an RF signal, inaccordance with one embodiment of the present invention, includes, inpart, an antenna, a narrow-band RF power converter, an accelerometer,and a magnetometer. The antenna is adapted to receive the RF signal andhas dimensions defined by the wavelength of the RF signal. Thenarrow-band RF power converter is adapted to convert the RF signal to aDC signal. The accelerometer; and magnetometer operate to determine theorientation and location of the power detector.

In one embodiment, the RF power detector further includes, in part, agyroscope. In one embodiment, the frequency of the RF signal isconstant. In one embodiment, the narrow-band RF power converter is arectifier adapted to convert the RF signal to the DC signal. In oneembodiment, the rectifier is tuned to a frequency of the RF sourcegenerating the RF signal.

In one embodiment, the RF power detector further includes, in part, anindicator supplying information representative of the amount of the DCpower of the DC signal. In one embodiment, the indicator furthersupplies information representative of the position of the RF powerdetector. In one embodiment, the indicator further supplies informationrepresentative of the orientation of the RF signal. In one embodiment,the indicator further supplies information representative of thefrequency of the RF signal. In one embodiment, the indicator furthersupplies information representative of the polarization of the RFsignal. In one embodiment, the indicator includes, in part, one or morelight emitting diodes.

In one embodiment, the power detector is adapted to be inserted into amobile communication/computation device so as to provide the informationabout the amount of DC power, the orientation and the position to themobile communication/computation device for display by the mobilecommunication/computation device. In one embodiment, the power detectorfurther includes, in part, a transmitter adapted to transmit informationabout the amount of DC power, the orientation and the position.

In one embodiment, the RF power detector further includes, in part, abandpass filter adapted to filter out RF signals falling outside apredefined frequency band. In one embodiment, the RF power detectorfurther includes, in part, an amplifier disposed between the antenna andthe rectifier.

In one embodiment, the narrow-band RF power converter includes, in part,a mixer adapted to downconvert a frequency of the RF signal, and alow-pass filter coupled to an output of the mixer and adapted to supplya substantially DC signal. In one embodiment, the RF power detectorfurther includes, in part, an amplifier disposed between the low-passfilter and the indicator. In one embodiment, the power detector furtherincludes, in part, a low-noise amplifier disposed between the antennaand the mixer.

In one embodiment, the narrow-band power converter includes, in part, afirst mixer adapted to downconvert a frequency of the RF signal to anintermediate frequency signal, a first amplifier adapted to amplify theintermediate frequency signal, and a second mixer adapted downconvertthe intermediate frequency signal to a substantially DC signal. In oneembodiment, the RF power detector of claim 19 further includes, in part,a low-noise amplifier disposed between the antenna and the first mixer.In one embodiment, the RF power detector of claim 19 further includes,in part, a second amplifier disposed between the second mixer and theindicator. In one embodiment, the RF power detector has an area thatdoes not exceed 2 cm². The antenna may be a patch antenna, a dipoleantenna, a slot antenna, and the like.

An RF power detector, in accordance with one embodiment of the presentinvention, includes, in part, an antenna adapted to receive an RFsignal, a narrow-band RF power converter adapted to convert the RFsignal to a DC signal, a circuit adapted to identify a location of theRF power detector in accordance with one or more of a polarization, timeof flight or Doppler measurement of the RF signal received by theantenna, and an orientation sensor.

In one embodiment, the power detector further includes, in part, agyroscope. In one embodiment, the power detector further includes, inpart, an indicator supplying information representative of the amount ofthe DC power of the DC signal. In one embodiment, the indicator furthersupplies information representative of the position of the RF powerdetector. In one embodiment, the indicator further supplies informationrepresentative of the orientation of the RF signal. In one embodiment,the indicator further supplies information representative of thefrequency of the RF signal. In one embodiment, the indicator furthersupplies information representative of the polarization of the RFsignal. In one embodiment, the indicator includes, in part, one or morelight emitting diodes.

In one embodiment, the power detector is adapted to be inserted into amobile communication/computation device so as to provide the informationabout the amount of DC power, the orientation and the position to themobile communication/computation device for display by the mobilecommunication/computation device. In one embodiment, the power detectorfurther includes, in part, a transmitter adapted to transmit informationabout the amount of DC power, the orientation and the position.

In one embodiment, the narrow-band RF power converter includes, in part,a mixer adapted to downconvert a frequency of the RF signal, and alow-pass filter coupled to the output of the mixer and adapted to supplya substantially DC signal.

In one embodiment, the narrow-band RF power converter includes, in part,a first mixer adapted to downconvert the frequency of the RF signal toan intermediate frequency signal, a first amplifier adapted to amplifythe intermediate frequency signal, and a second mixer adapteddownconvert the intermediate frequency signal to a substantially DCsignal. In one embodiment, the power detector has an area that does notexceed 2 cm².

An RF power detector, in accordance with one embodiment of the presentinvention, includes, in part, first and second antennas each adapted toreceive an RF signal and each having a dimension defined by thewavelength of the RF signal, a narrow-band RF power converter adapted toconvert the RF signal to a DC signal, and a circuit adapted to identifythe position and the orientation of a source of the RF signal inaccordance with the RF signal received by the first and second antennas.

In one embodiment, the RF power detector further includes, in part, agyroscope. In one embodiment, the RF power detector further includes, inpart, an indicator supplying information representative of the amount ofthe DC power of the DC signal. In one embodiment, the indicator furthersupplies information representative of the position. In one embodiment,the indicator further supplies information representative of theorientation. In one embodiment, the indicator further suppliesinformation representative of the frequency of the RF signal. In oneembodiment, the indicator further supplies information representative ofthe polarization of the RF signal.

The RF power detector of claim 39 wherein said indicator comprises oneor more light emitting diodes. In one embodiment, the power detector isadapted to be inserted into a mobile communication/computation device soas to provide the information about the amount of DC power, theorientation and the position to the mobile communication/computationdevice for display by the mobile communication/computation device. Inone embodiment, the power detector further includes, in part, atransmitter adapted to transmit information about the amount of DCpower, the orientation and the position.

In one embodiment, the narrow-band RF power converter includes, in part,a mixer adapted to downconvert the frequency of the RF signal, and alow-pass filter coupled to an output of the mixer to supply asubstantially DC signal.

In one embodiment, the narrow-band RF power converter includes, in part,a first mixer adapted to downconvert the frequency of the RF signal toan intermediate frequency signal, a first amplifier adapted to amplifythe intermediate frequency signal, and a second mixer adapteddownconvert the intermediate frequency signal to a substantially DCsignal. In one embodiment, the RF power detector has an area notexceeding 2 cm².

An RF power system, in accordance with one embodiment of the presentinvention, includes, in part, a power generating unit. The powergenerating unit, in one embodiment, includes, in part, a first powerdetector adapted to detect a first amount of RF power radiated by the RFpower generating unit and reflected off a living organism, and acontroller adapted to reduce the RF power radiated if the first amountof RF power reflected by the living organism is detected as beinggreater than a predefined amount.

In one embodiment, the power generating unit further includes, in part,a Doppler radar to detect the living organism. In one embodiment, the RFpower system further includes, in part, a power recovery unit. The powerrecovery unit, in one embodiment, includes, in part, a second powerdetector adapted to detect a second amount of RF power radiated by theRF power generating unit and reflected off the living organism.

In one embodiment, the recovery further includes, in part, a transmittertransmitting the second amount of power to a receiver disposed in thepower generating unit. In one embodiment, the controller is furtheradapted to reduce the RF power if the second amount of power is greaterthan the predefined amount.

In one embodiment, the recovery unit further includes, in part, anaccelerometer. In one embodiment, the recovery unit further includes, inpart, a gyroscope. In one embodiment, the recovery unit furtherincludes, in part, a magnetometer.

An RF power system, in accordance with one embodiment of the presentinvention, includes, in part, an RF power generating unit, an RF powerrecovery unit and a controller. The power generating unit, in oneembodiment, includes, in part, a detector adapted to detect a firstamount of RF power radiated by the RF power generating unit andreflected off a living organism. The power recovery unit, in oneembodiment, includes, in part, a second power detector adapted to detecta second amount of RF power radiated by the RF power generating unit andreflected off the living organism. The controller, in one embodiment, isadapted to cause the RF power radiated by the RF power generating unitto decrease if either the first amount or the second amount is greaterthan the predefined amount. In one embodiment, the controller isdisposed in the RF power generating unit. In one embodiment, thecontroller is disposed in the RF power recovery unit.

An RF power system, in accordance with one embodiment of the presentinvention, includes, in part, an RF power generating unit, an RF powerrecovery unit and a controller. The power generating unit, in oneembodiment, includes, in part, a detector adapted to detect a firstamount of RF power radiated by the RF power generating unit andreflected off a living organism. The power recovery unit, in oneembodiment, includes, in part, a second power detector adapted to detecta second amount of RF power radiated by the RF power generating unit andreflected off the living organism. The controller, in one embodiment, isadapted to cause the RF power radiated by the RF power generating unitto decrease if both the first amount and the second amount are greaterthan the predefined amount.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a pair of wireless power transfer generation unitstransmitting RF power to a pair of devices.

FIG. 2 shows an RF power detector detecting power from an RF powergeneration circuit, in accordance with one embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart for mapping the RF power at various locations of aroom via an RF power detector, in accordance with one embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 4 shows an RF power detector detecting power from an RF powergeneration circuit, in accordance with one embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart for mapping the RF power at various locations of aroom via an RF power detector, in accordance with one embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 6 is a simplified high-level block diagram of a wireless powerdetector, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a simplified high-level block diagram of a wireless powerdetector, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 shows a wireless power detector inserted in a mobilecommunication/computation device, in accordance with one embodiment ofthe present invention.

FIG. 9 is a simplified high-level block diagram of a wireless powerdetector, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a simplified high-level block diagram of a wireless powerdetector, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a simplified high-level block diagram of a RF power system,in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a simplified high-level block diagram of an RF powergenerating unit, in accordance with one embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 13 is a simplified high-level block diagram of an RF recovery unit,in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 shows an example in which two wireless power transfer generationunits (GUs) 10 and 12 transmit power and form energy beams to powerdevices 20 and 22 each containing a power recovery unit (RU). Each RUconverts the received radio frequency signal to a usable DC power tocharge the device in which it is disposed. Conventional systems require,among other elements, a microwave horn antenna (or other calibratedantennas) 30 together with RF cable 32 and spectrum analyzer 34 or anexternal dedicated RF and microwave power meter system to measure theamount of power delivered at each location where the RU may be placed.The horn antenna, RF cable and spectrum analyzers are generally bulky,expensive, and require very specialized expertise to operate.

In accordance with embodiments of the present invention, users andoperators are enabled to relatively quickly and effortlessly verify theamount of power delivered wirelessly including, but not limited to,measuring the power received wirelessly (such as RF, mm-wave, or opticalsuch as Infra-red) at various locations while the systems remains activeto view. Such measurement and verification may be used to determine,among other things, the effectiveness of the beam-forming and focusingnature of long range wireless power transfer, and its ability to limitexposure at other areas. Embodiments of the present invention may alsobe used to demonstrate regulatory compliance and proper operation of theunit(s), without the need for expensive RF measurement equipment thatcannot be readily found and/or afforded by the end user and/or operator.

A wireless power detection and monitoring system, in accordance withembodiments of the present invention, may be used to map theavailability of RF power in different locations of, for example, a room.The mapped power can be used to provide information to the user ofwireless power system. Such information includes, but not limited, to anoptimum charging location for the device to be wirelessly charged, andan optimum placement location for the transmitters supplying thewireless power. To achieve such mapping capability, in one embodiment,the power detection and monitoring device, in accordance with oneembodiment of the present invention, uses orientation/location detectionsensors, such as magnetometers, accelerometers, gyros, time of flightsensors, GPS, and the like.

FIG. 2 shows a wireless power generation unit 40 adapted to transmit aradio frequency (RF) signal for wireless charging. Power detectiondevice 45 (alternatively referred to herein as power detector) whichincludes an antenna 15 (such as a patch antenna) receives the RF power,in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, and maps theRF power in the room. To achieve this, a user moves device 45 around theroom while trying to find the orientation that maximizes the detectedpower. Power detection device 45 monitors the orientation at whichmaximum power is received for each location and stores this informationin order to generate a map of the availability of RF power in differentlocations in the room.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart 50 of steps for mapping the received RF power atvarious locations of a room, in accordance with one embodiment of thepresent invention. At 52 for each location the orientation at whichmaximum power is available is detected and recorded. At 54, the RF beambearing and the available power at each such location is calculated. At56 an RF power map is created for the room. At 58 the best RF charginglocation for a device to be charged and/or the best position for theplacement for wireless power generation unit 40 is provided.

FIG. 4 shows a wireless power generation unit 40 adapted to transmit anRF signal for wireless charging. Power detector 50, which includesmultiple antennas 52, 54 and 56 (such as a patch antenna), receives theRF signal, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention,and maps the available RF power at each location in the room. In theexemplary embodiment of FIG. 4, power detector 50 is shown as includingthree antennas 52, 54, and 56, however, it is understood that powerdetector 50 may include any number of antennas. The multiple antennas ofpower detector 50 are used to detect the bearing of the RF beam withrespect to power detector 50. Orientation sensor 58 disposed in powerdetector 50 is used to map the relative bearing of the beam at thedevice to a relative bearing of the beam with respect to the room.Accordingly, the user does not need to reorient the device to receivethe maximum power as he/she moves the object around the room.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart 60 of steps for mapping the received RF power atvarious locations of a room, in accordance with one embodiment of thepresent invention. At 62 for each location, the device orientation,received power per antenna, and the RF beam bearing with respect to thedevice is detected and recorded. At 64, the RF beam bearing with respectto the room coordinates and the available RF power at each location iscalculated. At 66 an RF power map is created for the room. At 68, thebest RF charging location for a device to be charged and/or the bestposition for the placement for wireless power generation unit 40 isprovided.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a wireless power detector 70, in accordancewith one embodiment of the present invention. Power detector 70 is shownas including one or more antenna 72, an RF receiver 80, data storage andprocessing block 78, a position sensor 74, an orientation sensor 76, anda display 82.

The RF is received by RF receiver 80 via antenna(s) 72. Data storage andprocessing block 78 receives position information supplied by positionsensor 74, orientation position supplied by orientation sensor 76 andthe power received by RF receiver 80 to store a map of the power foreach position and orientation, as described above. Display 82 is used todisplay the amount of power for each device position and orientation. Insome embodiments, power detector 70 also includes an RF transmitter fortransmitting information about the amount of power present at eachposition and orientation to another device, such as a mobile device orto the GU. The multiple antennas of power detector 70 enable the RFreceivers 80 to obtain both the phase and amplitude information receivedfrom each antenna. The phase information is used to find direction ofarrival of the RF signal (i.e., the bearing of the RF beam with respectto power detector 70), and the amplitude together with the direction ofarrival of the RF beam is used to find the RF beam power.

FIG. 7 is a high-level block diagram of a wireless power detector 80, inaccordance with one embodiment of the present invention. Power detector80 is shown as including in part, an antenna 100, a power converter 102,an accelerometer 104, a magnetometer 106, a control circuit 110 and anindicator 120. Antenna 102 receives and delivers the radiated RF signalto power converter 102 which converts the received RF signal to a DCpower. Control circuit 110 receives the readouts from accelerometer 104and magnetometer 106 to determine the orientation and location of powerdetector 80. Indicator 120 indicates, among other things, the amount ofDC power received by power detector 80. Power detector 80 isadvantageously small, light-weight, and low cost and may be placed atany location by the end user to measure the amount of wireless powerbeing delivered to any location. Some embodiments of a power detector,in accordance with any of the embodiments of the present invention, haveareas that do not exceed 2 cm².

Some embodiments of power detector 80 may not include an indicator. Suchembodiments may be adapted to be inserted into another device (e.g., amobile phone) that includes a display. In such embodiments, theinformation about the amount of DC power at each location, as well asany other information (such as the orientation), is transferred frompower detector 80 to the mobile phone for display by the mobile phone.Other embodiments of power detector 80 that do not include an indicatormay include a wireless transmitter adapted to transmit information aboutthe amount of RF power at each location, as well as any otherinformation such as the orientation, to a mobile phone. The informationso transmitted wirelessly is displayed by the mobile phone.

In one embodiment, antenna 100 is a relatively small low-profilelow-cost antenna such as a patch, dipole, or slot antenna. In otherembodiment, a standalone low profile antenna may be attached to powerconverter 102 to receive the RF signal and enable power converter 102 toconvert the RF, mm-wave signal to a DC signal.

Antenna 100 may be a narrowband antenna adapted to achieve the desiredselectivity to reject the signal received from other sources of RFsignal generation, such as cellular phones, WiFi and Bluetoothtransmitters. Although not shown, some embodiments of power detector 80include an optional amplifier adapted to amplify the signal receive byantenna 100. In other embodiments, power detector 80 includes a bandpassfilter adapted to remove frequency components of the RF signal receivedby antenna 100. In yet other embodiments, power detector 80 optionallyincludes both an amplifier and a bandpass filter, as described above.

In some embodiments, power detector 80 includes a gyroscope. In someembodiments, the frequency of the RF signal received by antenna 100 isconstant. In some embodiments, power converter 102 is a rectifier thatmay be tuned to the frequency of the radiated RF signal. In someembodiments, in addition to the amount of power, indicator 120 indicatesinformation representative of the position and/or orientation of powerdetector 80 and/or the orientation of the received RF signal. In yetother embodiments, indicator 120 indicates information representative ofthe frequency and/or polarization of the received RF signal.

In one embodiment, indicator 102 includes, in part, one or morelow-power light emitting diodes (LED) or ultra-low-power miniaturizedincandescent light bulb(s) to indicate the amount of RF signal receivedat the band of interest. The LED (or the bulb) will turn on when thereceived RF signal reaches a predefined level, which will correspond tothe threshold voltages of the LED. A group of LEDs with differentthreshold voltages (either established by using different color LEDs orcreated by additional voltage drop circuity, such as series resistors)may be used to indicate various signal power levels which are thenindicated by indicator 120. Therefore, for example, the higher theamount of received power is, the higher will be the number of LEDs thatturn on. In yet other embodiments, the color of the LEDs will beindicative of the amount of RF power being received. The power level canbe indicated in many ways including an LED bar, 7 segment display, orfully programmable digital displays. In yet another embodiment, a tunedfront-end displays the power and the band of interest, as well as thepower at several radio frequency bands using a tuned or synthesizedlocal oscillator frequency.

In one embodiment, power detector 80 is adapted to be inserted into amobile communication/computation device, such as mobile phone 150 shownin FIG. 8. In some embodiments, power detector 80 is adapted to transferthe information such as the amount of received power, the location andorientation to mobile device 150. Mobile device 150 then displays theinformation supplied by power detector 80. In one embodiment, powerdetector 80 includes a transmitter controlled by control circuit 110.Such a transmitter is adapted to transfer the information such as theamount of received power, the location and orientation of power detector80, wirelessly via antenna 110 or another antenna disposed in powerdetector 80.

FIG. 9 is a high-level block diagram of a wireless power detector 200,in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. Powerdetector 200 is shown as including in part, an antenna 202, a mixer 206,a low-pass filter 210, an accelerometer 104, a magnetometer 106, acontrol circuit 110, and an indicator 240. Power detector 200 is alsoshown as including, in part, an optional low-noise amplifier 204disposed between mixer 206 and antenna 202, as well as amplifier 212disposed between low-pass filter 210 and indicator 240.

Antenna 202 receives and delivers the radiated RF signal to mixer 206.Mixer 206 is adapted to downconvert the frequency of the received RFsignal to a substantially baseband signal in response to the oscillatingsignal mixer 206 receives from oscillator 208. Lowpass filter 210 isadapted to remove from the output of mixer 206 the frequency componentsof the signal that exceed a predefined value and supply a substantiallyDC signal to indicator 240. Amplifiers 204 and 212 are adapted toamplify the signals they receive.

Control circuit 110 receives the readouts from accelerometer 104 andmagnetometer 106 to determine the orientation and location of powerdetector 200. Indicator 240 indicates the amount of DC power received bypower detector 200. In one embodiment, antenna 202 is a relatively smalllow-profile low-cost antenna such as a patch, dipole, or slot antenna.In some embodiments, power detector 200 includes a gyroscope. In someembodiments, in addition to the amount of power, indicator 240 indicatesinformation representative of the orientation of power detector 200and/or the position and/or orientation of the received RF signal. In yetother embodiments, indicator 240 indicates information representative ofthe frequency and/or polarization of the received RF signal. In oneembodiment, power detector 200 is adapted to be inserted into a mobilecommunication/computation device, such as mobile phone 150 shown in FIG.8.

In some embodiments, power detector 200 is adapted to transfer theinformation such as the amount of received power, the location andorientation to mobile device 150. Mobile device 150 displays theinformation supplied by power detector 200. In one embodiment, powerdetector 200 includes a transmitter controlled by control circuit 110.Such a transmitter is adapted to transfer the information such as theamount of received power, the location and orientation of power detector200, wirelessly via antenna 202 or another antenna disposed in powerdetector 200.

FIG. 10 is a high-level block diagram of a wireless power detector 300,in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. Powerdetector 300 is shown as including in part, an antenna 202, first andsecond mixers 206, 226, tuned amplifier 220, an accelerometer 104, amagnetometer 106, a control circuit 110, and an indicator 240. Powerdetector 300 is also shown as including, in part, an optional low-noiseamplifier 204 disposed between mixer 206 and antenna 202, as well asamplifier 212 disposed between tuned amplifier 220 and indicator 240.

Antenna 202 receives and delivers the radiated RF signal to mixer 206.Mixer 206 is adapted to downconvert the frequency of the received RFsignal to an intermediate frequency in response to the oscillatingsignal that mixer 206 receives from oscillator 208. Tuned amplifier 220is tuned to a predefined band and is adapted to amplify the output ofmixer 206. The frequency of the output of amplifier 220 is downconvertedfrom the intermediate frequency to a substantially DC signal andsupplied to indicator 240. Optional amplifier 212 is adapted to amplifythe output of mixer 226.

Control circuit 110 receives the readouts from accelerometer 104 andmagnetometer 106 to determine the orientation and location of powerdetector 300. Indicator 240 indicates the amount of DC power received bypower detector 300. In one embodiment, antenna 202 is a relatively smalllow-profile low-cost antenna such as a patch, dipole, or slot antenna.In some embodiments, power detector 300 includes a gyroscope. In someembodiments, in addition to the amount of power, indicator 240 indicatesinformation representative of the position and/or orientation of powerdetector 300 and/or the orientation of the received RF signal. In yetother embodiments, indicator 240 indicates information representative ofthe frequency and/or polarization of the received RF signal. In oneembodiment, power detector 300 is adapted to be inserted into a mobilecommunication/computation device, such as mobile phone 150 shown in FIG.8.

In some embodiments, power detector 300 is adapted to transfer theinformation such as the amount of received power, the location andorientation to mobile device 150. Mobile device 150 displays theinformation supplied by power detector 300. In one embodiment, powerdetector 300 includes a transmitter controlled by control circuit 110.Such a transmitter is adapted to transfer information such as the amountof received power, the location and/or orientation of power detector300, wirelessly via antenna 202 or another antenna disposed in powerdetector 300.

A power detector, as described in accordance with any of the aboveembodiments of the present invention, may be disposed in an RU oralternatively may be attached or inserted into an RU, as shown in FIG.8. The various sensors used by the RU when adapted to include a powerdetector, in accordance with any of the embodiments described above, maysense, among other things, the direction and orientation of the RU withrespect to the GU. In yet other embodiments, the RU may include, one ormore inertia measurement unit (IMU), and a Doppler radar. In someembodiments, such sensors are also present in the GU.

In some embodiments, the GU may also include a power detector, inaccordance with any of the embodiments described above, a Doppler radar,a specific absorption rate (SAR) measurement unit, and the like.

The amount of RF power transmitted by the GU and reflected from a livingorganism (such as human beings) may be measured by such sensors(disposed in both the GU and/or RU) to determine the amount of RF powerto which the organism is exposed. If the level of exposure so detectedexceeds a predefined amount, such as the amount set by the governingstandards, the amount of RF power generated by the GU is decreased so asto bring the exposure amount to a safe level. Because the determinationof the amount of RF exposure or SAR that a human being or a pet issubjected to is made using multiple sensors disposed in the GU(s) or theRU, an RF power delivery system, in accordance with embodiment of thepresent invention, is fail-safe and robust. In other words, a powerdelivery system, in accordance with embodiments of the presentinvention, includes multiple independent sensors disposed in GU as wellas in RU, the system is inherently fail-safe and can ensure safety inthe event one or more of the sensors fails.

In some embodiments, the GU is further adapted to determine the heartbeat and the breathing rate of e.g. a person or an animal through themodulation of the reflected signal and the Doppler effect. In yet otherembodiments, the RU operates as a passive radar. In such embodiments,the RU, using its sensors, receives the RF power scattered from objectsthat are illuminated by GU to detect its surrounding. The RU may alsodetect live/animate objects through the modulation caused by the wavesscattered from live/animate objects.

FIG. 11 is a simplified high-level block diagram of a RF power system350, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. RFpower system 350 is shown as including, in part, an RF power generatingunit 400, and an RF power recovery unit 500.

FIG. 12 is a simplified high-level block diagram of an RF powergenerating unit 400, in accordance with one embodiment of the presentinvention. RF power generating unit 400, is shown as including, in part,an RF power transmitter that transmits RF power for wireless charging ofpower recovery unit 500, a power detector adapted to detect the RF powerreflected off an object, a controller 420 adapted to control the amountof RF power being transmitted by the RF power generating unit, areceiver 425 adapted to receive command and data from the RF powerrecovery unit via a communications links, such as Bluetooth or WiFi, anda Doppler radar 430 adapted to detect the presence of living organism,such as humans or pets. RF power generating unit 400, is also shown asincluding a multitude of antennas 405 via which the RF power generatingtransmits RF power and receives data/command from the RF recovery unit.

FIG. 13 is a simplified high-level block diagram of an RF recovery unit300, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. RFrecovery unit 300, is shown as including, in part, an RF power receiver410 that receives the RF power transmitted by the RF power generatingunit and converts this power to DC power for charging the power recoveryunit 500, a power detector adapted to detect the RF power reflected offan object, an accelerometer 420, a gyroscope 425, a magnetometer 430, acontroller 435 adapted to control the amount of RF power beingtransmitted by the RF power generating unit, an RF transmitter 440adapted to transmit command and data (such as to control controller 420of power generating unit 400) to the RF power generating unit via acommunications links, such as Bluetooth or WiFi, and a Doppler radar 440adapted to detect the presence of living organism, such as humans orpets. RF power recovery unit 500, is also shown as including a multitudeof antennas 505 via which the RF power recovery unit receives thetransmitted RF power and transmits data/command to the RF powergenerating unit.

The above embodiments of the present invention may be equally applied totransferring power using optical beams. This may be achieved usinginfrared band. Power detection in such systems may be achieved using,for example, a low-cost IR filter at the band of interest followed by aphotodiode which converts the received IR signal into a DC signal. Asdescribed above, power detection may done in a passive manner, such asthat shown in FIG. 7, or in an active manner, such as those shown inFIGS. 9 and 10.

The above embodiments of the present invention are illustrative and notlimitative. Embodiments of the present invention are not limited by thetype of device that may be wirelessly charged. Other additions,subtractions or modifications are obvious in view of the presentdisclosure and are intended to fall within the scope of the appendedclaims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An RF power system comprising a power generatingunit, said power generating unit comprising: a first power detectoradapted to detect a first amount of RF power radiated by the RF powergenerating unit and reflected off a living organism; and a controlleradapted to reduce the RF power radiated if the first amount of RF powerreflected by the living organism is greater than a predefined amount. 2.The RF power generating unit of claim 1 further comprising: a Dopplerradar adapted to detect the living organism.
 3. The RF power system ofclaim 1 further comprising a power recovery unit, said recovery unitcomprising: a second power detector adapted to detect a second amount ofRF power radiated by the RF power generating unit and reflected off theliving organism.
 4. The RF power system of claim 3 wherein said recoverycomprises a transmitter transmitting the second amount of power to areceiver disposed in the power generating unit.
 5. The RF power systemof claim 4 wherein the controller is further adapted to reduce the RFpower if the second amount of power is greater than the predefinedamount.
 6. The RF power system of claim 5 wherein the recovery unitfurther comprises an accelerometer.
 7. The RF power system of claim 5wherein the recovery unit further comprises a gyroscope.
 8. The RF powersystem of claim 5 wherein the recovery unit further comprises amagnetometer.
 9. An RF power system comprising: a power generating unitcomprising a first power detector adapted to detect a first amount of RFpower radiated by the RF power generating unit and reflected off aliving organism; a power recovery unit comprising a second powerdetector adapted to detect a second amount of RF power radiated by theRF power generating unit and reflected off the living organism; and acontroller adapted to cause the RF power radiated by the RF powergenerating unit to decrease if either the first amount or the secondamount is greater than the predefined amount.
 10. The RF power system ofclaim 9 wherein the controller is disposed in the RF power generatingunit.
 11. The RF power system of claim 9 wherein the controller isdisposed in the RF power recovery unit.
 12. An RF power systemcomprising: a power generating unit comprising a first power detectoradapted to detect a first amount of RF power radiated by the RF powergenerating unit and reflected off a living organism; a power recoveryunit comprising a second power detector adapted to detect a secondamount of RF power radiated by the RF power generating unit andreflected off the living organism; and a controller adapted to cause theRF power radiated by the RF power generating unit to decrease if boththe first amount and the second amount are greater than the predefinedamount.